A vacant parcel on Pillsbury Road where it T-intersects with Woodward Avenue is drawing the ire of nearby residents after the owners submitted plans for a commercial project that includes an AM/PM mini market and gas station.

Opponents have indicated that they have collected more than 700 signatures on a petition opposing the commercial development.

More than a dozen residents shared concerns about the project with the Manteca City Council on Tuesday.

The council, because the project appears to conform to zoning standards, is unlikely to have a say in it one way or another unless whatever decision the Manteca Planning Commission makes when the gas station and accompanying neighborhood commercial center comes before them is appealed to the council.

One speaker, however, noted an action the council could take.

He wants to see the council call an emergency meeting to make sure current city setbacks for gas stations from dwellings reflects the latest state standards.

 The speakers slammed the project as a bad fit for their neighborhood.

They expressed concern it would:

*increase noise.

*devalue their homes by as much as 55%.

*create safety hazards by increasing traffic.

*create health issues related to fuel polluting the air.

*encourage criminal activity from loitering on up.

*generate excessive light at night in a residential area.

One safety concern was tied into the fact the location is basically roughly three blocks east of Woodward Park.

As such, it could encourage youngsters and others using the park that wanted a snack or drinks to walk along Woodward Avenue that has no sidewalks between the park and Pillsbury Road on the south side of the street.

Traffic on Woodward often exceeds the speed limit.

Over the years, there have been several pedestrian versus vehicle accidents including a man who was killed in a crosswalk while pushing his grandson in a stroller. The grandson was not injured.

Speakers listed other reasons why the city should deep-six the project.

*It was what they considered bad planning.

*They believe Manteca — with more than 30 gas stations and five more approved but yet to be built — doesn’t need any more gas stations.

*No other neighborhoods in Manteca have gas stations as close to residential areas as what is proposed at Pillsbury and Woodward.

That is not exactly correct.

Rotten Robbie’s now under construction on Airport Way at Wawona backs up to housing.

Neighbors objected to that project citing many of the same reasons.

The gas station the city approved last year for the southeast corner of Lathrop Road and Airport Way backs up to housing on two sides.

There is also a gas station going in on the southeast corner of Union Road and Lathrop Road next to senior housing and a residential neighrbhood.

There are at least three gas stations in older sections of the city that back up to homes.

The concerns were voiced during the public comments section of the council meeting.

City Attorney Dave Nefouse noted since it wasn’t on the agenda, the council couldn’t legally discuss the project.

He added, however, Mayor Gary Singh was recusing himself from any discussion or action on the project out of an abundance of caution.

One resident had submitted a letter to the city contending Singh has a conflict because his father was part of a partnership that bought the parcel where the gas station is proposed. They sold it in 2021.

Singh’s father hasn’t had any ties to the land in question for the past four years.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com